Do you need tickets for Museum of Natural History DC?

Opening Paragraph

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. is one of the most popular museums in the United States. With over 146 million artifacts and specimens, it offers an incredible amount of exhibits and things to see. But do you need tickets to visit the Museum of Natural History in DC? The quick answer is no, you do not need tickets for general admission to the museum. As part of the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum of Natural History is free to enter and explore. You can simply walk in anytime during open hours without needing to buy tickets or make a reservation. This makes it a very accessible museum experience for visitors to Washington D.C.

More Detailed Information

While you don’t need tickets for general admission, there are some special exhibits, experiences, and shows that do require purchased tickets at the Museum of Natural History. Here are some key things to know:

IMAX Theater

The Museum of Natural History is home to an IMAX theater that shows educational large format films related to science, nature, and history. Tickets are required for the IMAX theater and can be purchased online in advance or at the IMAX box office on the day you want to see a movie. IMAX tickets cost around $15 for adults.

Butterfly Pavilion

One of the most popular special exhibits is the Butterfly Pavilion, an indoor tropical oasis filled with hundreds of live butterflies that fly freely around visitors. Access to the Butterfly Pavilion requires a separate timed entry ticket that must be purchased in advance online. Tickets are around $7 per person.

Discovery Room

The Discovery Room allows kids to have interactive hands-on fun with natural history artifacts and specimens. Tickets are needed for groups to reserve time slots in the Discovery Room. They can be booked online in advance.

Dinosaur Bone Storage Room Tour

For an in-depth behind-the-scenes look, visitors can take a guided tour of the Museum’s Dinosaur Bone Storage Room. These 1.5 hour tours are limited to 5 people and need to be booked well in advance for a fee of $300 per group.

When You Need Tickets

So in summary, the only parts of the Museum of Natural History DC that require tickets are:

• IMAX Theater
• Butterfly Pavilion timed entry
• Discovery Room groups
• Dinosaur Bone Storage Room Tour

Everything else, including all the exhibit halls, fossil exhibits, gem/mineral collection, mammal exhibits, and more are completely free to walk through without needing tickets.

Getting Free Same-Day Timed Passes

While timed entry passes are not required for general admission on normal days, the Museum of Natural History does have a system of free timed passes to help limit capacity during peak spring and summer seasons.

These free passes are released online each morning for the same day, allowing visitors to reserve a recommended entry time slot. Timed passes are sometimes required on weekends, holidays, and popular weeks like Spring Break.

If visiting during busy seasons, it’s best to check the museum website calendar in the morning to see if timed passes are needed for that day. If so, claim yours quickly as they are first-come, first-served. With a timed pass in hand, you can then enter the museum anytime during your reserved window without having to buy tickets.

Purchasing Tickets in Advance

While timed entry tickets are not required for general admission, visitors can choose the option of purchasing date-specific tickets in advance online:

Standard Admission Tickets

Cost: $0
– Allows entry anytime on chosen date

Flex Admission Tickets

Cost: $6
– Gives anytime entry for a full year from purchase date

Expedited Entry Tickets

Cost: $6
– Allows faster entry through separate queue

The advantage of having advance tickets, even when not required, is being able to skip waiting in long lines to enter, especially on busier days.

Keep in mind advance tickets sometimes sell out on peak dates. So if wanting this option, purchase early.

Saving Money on Tickets

While free general admission tickets are ideal, there are some ways to save on paid attractions like the IMAX and Butterfly Pavilion if you want to experience them:

• Look for discounted combo tickets that bundle the IMAX movie and Butterfly Pavilion for slightly cheaper per item.
• See if you qualify for any membership discounts, like through AAA or military.
• Ask at your hotel – some offer discounted attraction tickets for guests.
• Consider getting a CityPASS which bundles multiple DC museums and attractions at a discounted price.

Following some of those tips can help you maximize value if you want to enjoy the Museum of Natural History’s paid offerings.

When the Museum is Free

Already free general admission gets even better on certain days when the Museum of Natural History waives fees for normally paid attractions. Mark your calendar for these special free days:

Taking advantage of those days can bring huge savings on top of the already free general museum access.

Additional Tips for Visiting

Here are some extra tips for making the most of your time at the National Museum of Natural History:

– Arrive early, especially on weekends, to beat long lines waiting outside.

– Don’t try to see everything in one visit. Focus on exhibits that interest you most.

– Pick up a map to navigate the museum’s sprawling layout across multiple floors.

– Dine at the Ocean Hall Cafe or Coffee Bar for quick meals and snacks inside.

– Ask volunteers questions – they have great insights into the exhibits.

– Participate in free 30-minute interpretive tours of select spaces.

– Attend free talks, demonstrations, IMAX previews, and events.

– Download the free Smithsonian Mobile app with exhibit guides and maps.

Conclusion

The Museum of Natural History in Washington DC provides a fabulous free museum experience for all visitors. While you don’t need tickets for general admission, timed passes may be required on busy days to manage capacity. Paid tickets are only needed for special exhibits and experiences like the IMAX theater and seasonal butterfly pavilion. Following the tips and guidelines above will ensure you have an easy, smooth visit to one of the most impressive museums on the National Mall, whether you have tickets or not.